Switching device responsive to a rotating magnet



SWITCHING DEVICE RESPONSIVE TO A ROTATING MAGNET Filed Nov. 16, 1966Sept. 10, 1968 E. v. PAHOLEK ETAL 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 FIG.

E. u PAHOLEK WVENTORS N WASSfRMAN ATTORNEY P 10, 1963 E. v. PAHOLEK ETAL3,401,366

SWITCHING DEVICE RESPONSIVE TO A ROTATING MAGNET Filed Nov. 16, 1966 2Sheets-Sheet 2 United States Patent 3,401,366 SWITCHING DEVICERESPONSIVE TO A ROTATING MAGNET Edward V. Pahoiek, Brooklyn, N.Y., andNorman Wasscrman, Columbus, Ohio, assignors to Bell TelephoneLaboratories Incorporated, Murray Hill, N.J., a corporatiou of New YorkFiled Nov. 16, 1966, Ser. No. 594,889 10 Claims. (Cl. 335206) Switchingapplications often require a momentary contact function or a transferfunction. This invention relates to devices which perform suchfunctions. Specifically, in accordance with this invention, the desiredswitching functions are achieved in a switching device which is simpleto make and which uses readily available components.

The market place abounds with switching devices of all kinds. One typein particular, however, has become especially popular. That type is theone in which the contacts are sealed in a vessel, viz, the so-callcdsealed contact reed switch. A typical example of such a sealed contactreed switch is shown in Patent 2,187,115 issued to W. B. Ellwood and W.H. T. Holden on J an. 16, 1940.

All sealed contact reed switches operate generally in the same manner;that is, a change in switching state occurs when a magnetic field ofsuitable magnitude is applied to the long axis of the switch. Typically,the contacts close when the magnetic field is applied and open when thefield is removed.

According to a preferred embodiment of this invention, the desiredswitching functions are achieved by combining two sealed contact reedswitches with a rotatable magnetic flux source. The two reed switcheseach have a longitudinal axis and the magnetic flux source has twomagnetic poles. The reed switches are disposed at right angles to eachother on either side of the flux source, and the flux source is arrangedto rotate from a position in which the magnetic poles are aligned withthe longitudinal axis of one reed switch to a position in which themagnetic poles are aligned with the longitudinal axis of the other reedswitch.

Thus, the magnetic poles of the flux source will always be aligned with'the longitudinal axis of one reed switch and perpendicular to theother. As a result, where the reed switches are of the normally opentype, The contacts in the former will be closed while the contacts inthe latter will be open. When the flux source rotates, the situationreverses and the closed switch opens while the open switch closes. As aconsequence, the combination exhibits a transfer function which can beeither momentary or permanent in nature.

A more complete understanding of this invention will be aided by thefollowing detailed description when taken in conjunction with thedrawing in which FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a switching deviceembodying this invention;

FIG. 2 is a front elevation view of the device shown in FIG. 1 withparts broken away to show internal details;

FIG. 3 is an end view of the device shown in FIG. 2 with parts brokenaway to show internal details;

FIG. 4 is a rear elevation view of the device shown in FIG. 1; and

FIG. 5 is a partial front elevation view of the device shown in FIG. 1with portions broken away to show the relative position of internalparts during operation.

The preferred embodiment of this invention hereinafter describedgenerally comprises a switch which is shown in FIG. 1. The switch 10divides naturally into two subassemblies, viz, a switch assembly 11 anda support assembly 12. The switch assembly 11 contains the contactswhile the support assembly 12 contains the mech- 3,401,366 PatentedSept. 10, 1968 ice anism for operating the contacts. In the followingparagraphs, each assembly will be separately described in detail.

As shown in detail in FIG. 5 the support assembly 12 includes a support15, a plunger 16, a pushbutton 17, a magnetic member 18, a light 19, twoapertures 20 and 21, and a slot 22. The support 15, as best seen inFIGS. 1 and 3, has portions hollowed out on either side to form acentral web 25. Within the web are located the apertures 20 and 21 andthe slot 22, with the aperture 20' being the uppermost. The slot 22interconnects the apertures 20 and 21 and is adapted to accommodate theplunger 16. The upper aperture 20 accommodates portions of the plunger16, the pushbutton 17, and the light 19, while the lower aperture 21accommodates the magnetic member 18 and portions of the plunger 16 andthe slot 22.

The pushbutton 17 has one end hinged to the support 15 and the other enddisposed in the upper aperture 20 in contact with the plunger 16. Theplunger 16, as shown in FIG. 2, in turn, has a shaft portion 26 and twofingers 27 which fit slidably in the slot 22.

As can be further seen, in FIG. 2, the slot 22 is narrow at each end butwide in the center. The shaft 26 of the plunger 16 fits in the narrowportions of the slot 22 while the fingers 27 fit in the wide portion.Furthermore, a spring 28 fits in one narrow portion of the slot 22 andbears against one end of the plunger 16 so as to urge the other endagainst the pushbutton 17.

The magnetic member 18, as shown in FIG. 5, is located in the loweraperture 21. The shape of the lower aperture 21 roughly approximates anhourglass form; viz, it has a narrow neck located between two wideportions. The magnetic member 18 fits rotatably in the aperture 21 andhas its central portion positioned in the neck of the aperture 21 andits ends in the wide portions. The neck or narrow portion of theaperture 21 provides pivot points on which the magnetic member 18 canrotate.

As shown in FIG. 2, the two fingers 27 are positioned in the slot 22 insuch a manner that they bracket one end of the magnetic member 18. Thus,when the plunger 16 slides back and forth in the slot 22 in response toactuation of the pushbutton -17, the fingers 27 rotate the magneticmember '18 in the aperture 21.

The light 19 fits primarily in the portion of the support 15 which isnot hollowed out. The bulb end, however, extends into the aperture 20.As shown mainly in phantom in FIG. 2, it screws into place in thesupport .15 against an insulating plate 30. The plate fits in a slot inthe support 15 and conveniently carries an electrical connector formaking contact between the light 19 and a suitable wire.

The pushbutton 17 is advantageously made of a transparent material. As aconsequence, when the light 19 is lit the pushbutton 17 will beilluminated. The light 19 can, therefore, be used to indicate either anoperated or unoperated state of the switch 10'.

Turning now to the switching assembly 11, as shown in FIGS. 1, 3 and 4,it comprises a support member 40, four switches 41 of the normally opensealed contact reed variety, two cradles 42 and a plurality of terminals43.

As seen most clearly in FIG. 1, the support member comprises two tonguesjoined by a base 46. As shown in FIG. 4, the terminals 43 are mounted inthe base 46, while the switches 41 and the cradles 42 are mounted on thetongues 45. Specifically, two switches 41 and a cradle 42 are mounted oneach tongue 45, Each cradle 42 is attached firmly to a tongue 45 andpositions and holds in place two switches 41. The cradles 42 are mountedon the tongues 45 so that the two switches 41 each carries are disposedat substantially right angles to the switches 41 carried by the other.

The terminals 43 in the base 46 are used to connect the switch into asuitable socket. As shown in FIG. 4, they are connected to therespective switches 41 and the light 19 by suitable wiring.

The tongues 45 are separated from each other to form a space wide enoughto accept the web 25. As shown in FIGS, 1 and 3, the tongues 45 slideover the web 25 while the base 46 abuts against the support when theswitching assembly 11 is joined to the support assembly 12. The junctionbetween the switching assembly and the support assembly 12 isconveniently maintained by screws (not shown).

In addition to facilitating the junction between the two assemblies 11and 12, the tongues 45 serve as guides which hold the magnetic member 18and the plunger 16 in place. When the tongues 45 are in place on eitherside of the web 25, the magnetic member 18 can rotate in the aperture 20and the plunger 16 can reciprocate in the slot 22, but neither can movelaterally.

Furthermore, the tongues 45 serve to place the switches 41 in properposition with respect to the magnetic member 18. As shown in FIG. 4,when the tongues 45 are in place on the web 25, the magnetic member 18will be aligned with the longitudinal axis of two switches 41 (notshown) and substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of twoother switches 41.

Operation of the switch 10 is best understood by comparing FIGS. 2 and5. FIG. 2 shows the switch 10 unoperated, while FIG. 5 shows itoperated. When the pushbutton 17 is depressed, the fingers 27 rotate themagnetic member 18 from one position to another, viz., through an arc ofapproximately 90. When the magnetic member 18 rotates in such a fashion,its magnetic poles change from an alignment parallel to the longitudinalaxes of switches 41 on one cradle 42 to an alignment parallel with thelongitudinal axes of switches 41 on the other cradle 42.

When the magnetic member 18 has its poles aligned with the longitudinalaxes of any pair of switches 41, the contacts therein will close. When,on the other hand, the poles are perpendicular to the longitudinal axesof any pair of switches 41, the contacts will open. Thus, as themagnetic member 18 reciprocates in 90 increments in response to movementof the pushbutton 17, the alignment of the magnetic poles shifts fromone set of switches 41 to the other and allows the contacts in theformer to open and compels the contacts in the latter to close. As aresult, at any given time, the contacts in one set of switches 41 willbe open while the contacts in the other set will be closed.

While in the embodiment disclosed, the magnetic member 18 reciprocatesto perform a momentary contact function; viz., it returns to itsoriginal position when the pushbutton 17 is released, it is readilyadaptable to continuous rotation as, for example, in response to aratchet and pawl mechanism operated by the pushbutton 17. In the lattercase, the switch 10 will provide a transfer or stepping function as itrotates from one position to the next. Furthermore, any number ofswitches 41 could be used and the operation can be automatic. Manywellknown electrically operative mechanisms are available which can beused in place of the manually operated push button 17.

Finally, the magnetic member 18 need not be a bar magnet as illustrated.Instead, it can be a core wound with a coil or any other convenientsource of magnetic flux.

In summary, therefore, a switching device has been disclosed anddescribed which is capable of a momentary contact function or a transferfunction and which is simple to make and uses readily availablecomponents. While only one preferred embodiment has been disclosed toillustrate the principles of this invention, other embodiments whichfall within the scope of the invention will readily occur to othersskilled in the art.

What is claimed is:

1. In a switching device the combination comprising:

first means for switching, said first means for switching having alongitudinal axis and being operable in response to a magnetic fluxapplied along such longitudinal axis;

second means for switching, said second means for switching having alongitudinal axis and being operable response to a magnetic flux appliedalong said longitudinal axis, said second means for switching beingdisposed with said longitudinal axis substantially at right angles tothe longitudinal axis of said first means for switching; and

flux means for supplying a magnetic flux, said flux means havingopposite magnetic poles disposed between said first and second means forswitching and being adapted to rotate from a position wherein said polesare aligned with the longitudinal axis of said first means for switchingto a position wherein said poles are aligned with the longitudinal axisof said second means for switching whereby the switching state of saidfirst and second means for switching alternates.

2. In a switching device the combination comprising:

a support having a central aperture;

first switching means mounted on one side of said support, said firstswitching means having a longitudinal axis and being operative inresponse to magnetic flux applied along said longitudinal axis;

second switching means mounted on the other side of said support, saidsecond switching means having a longitudinal axis and being operative inresponse to magnetic flux applied along said longitudinal axis, saidsecond switching means being mounted on said support with saidlongitudinal axis disposed at substantially right angles to thelongitudinal axis of said first switching means;

a flux source having opposite magnetic poles, said flux source beingmounted in said aperture between said first and second switching means;and

means for alternating said magnetic poles from a position in alignmentwith the longitudinal axis of said first switching means to a positionin alignment with the longitudinal axis of said second switching meanswhereby a transfer switching function is achieved,

3. A combination in accordance with claim 2 wherein said aperturecomprises two wide openings connected by a narrow opening and said fluxsource comprises an elongated magnetic member disposed with its centerin said narrow opening and its ends in said 'wide openings.

4. A combination in accordance with claim 3 wherein said means foralternating said magnetic poles comprises a plunger mounted on saidsupport and adapted to reciprocate an end of said magnetic member in oneof said wide openings.

5. A combination in accordance with claim 4 wherein said plungerincludes a shaft and two projecting fingers, said shaft being adapted toreciprocate on said support and said fingers being adapted to embraceone end of said magnetic member to rotate said magnetic member when saidshaft reciprocates,

6. In a switching device the combination comprising:

a first reed switch;

. a second reed switch disposed perpendicularly to said first reedswitch;

an elongated magnetic member having opposite magnetic poles at each end,said magnetic member being disposed rotatably between first and secondreed switches with said magnetic poles aligned with one reed switch andperpendicular to the other reed switch; and

means for rotating said magnetic member in degree increments wherebyfirst one switch and then the other is aligned with said magneticmembers.

7. A switching device comprising:

a support having a central web containing a slot and an aperture, saidaperture having two wide openings and a narrow opening and said slotbeing disposed to pass over a portion of one of said wide openings;

first sealed contact reed switch mounted over said aperture on one sideof said web;

a second sealed contact reed switch mounted over said aperture on theother side of said web, said first and second sealed contact reedswitches being disposed substantially at right angles to each other;

a permanent magnet having an opposite magnetic pole at each end, saidpermanent magnet being pivo-t'ally mounted on said support in saidnarrow opening with each end free to reciprocate in one of said wideopenings; and

plunger arranged to reciprocate in said web from a a support assemblyhaving a web;

switching assembly joined to said support assembly, said switchingassembly including a forked portion disposed on either side of said web;

a first aperture in said web;

magnetic member rotatably mounted in said first aperture and held inplace by the forked portion of said switching assembly, said magneticmember having opposite magnetic poles spaced from each other;

means mounted on said support assembly for rotating the magnetic polesof said magnetic member from one position to another; and

switching means having a longitudinal axis, said switching means beingoperable in response to magnetic flux supplied from said magnetic memberwhen the poles of said magnetic member are aligned with saidlongitudinal axis, said switching means being mounted on the forkedportion of said switch assembly with said longitudinal axis in alignmentwith said magnetic poles when said magnetic member is in said oneposition, and substantially perpedicular to said magnetic poles whensaid magnetic member is in the other position.

9. The combination in accordance with claim 8 wherein said switchingmeans comprises a plurality of scaled contact reed switches.

10. The combination in accordance with claim 8 wherein said switchingmeans comprises two sets of sealed contact reed switches, said setsbeing disposed on opposite sides of said web in positions substantiallyperpendicular to each other.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,328,732 6/1967 Palmer 335-205BERNARD A. GILHEANY, Primary Examiner.

R. N. ENVALL, JR., Assistant Examiner.

1. IN A SWITCHING DEVICE THE COMBINATION COMPRISING: FIRST MEANS FORSWITCHING, SAID FIRST MEANS FOR SWITCHING HAVING A LONGITUDINAL AXIS ANDBEING OPERABLE IN RESPONSE TO A MAGNETIC FLUX APPLIED ALONG SUCHLONGITUDINAL AXIS; SECOND MEANS FOR SWITCHING SAID SECOND MEANS FORSWITCHING HAVING A LONGITUDINAL AXIS AND BEING OPERABLE RESPONSE TO AMAGNETIC FLUX APPLIED ALONG SAID LONGITUDINAL AXIS, SAID SECOND MEANSFOR SWITCHING BEING DISPOSED WITH SAID LONGITUDINAL AXIS SUBSTANTIALLYAT RIGHT ANGLES TO THE LONGITUDINAL AXIS OF SAID FIRST MEANS FORSWITCHING; SAID FLUX MEANS FOR SUPPLYING A MAGNETIC FLUX, SAID FLUXMEANS HAVING OPPOSITE MAGNETIC POLES DISPOSED BETWEEN SAID FIRST ANDSECOND MEANS FOR SWITCHING AND BEING ADAPTED TO ROTATE FROM A POSITIONWHEREIN SAID POLES ARE ALIGNED WITH THE LONGITUDINAL AXIS OF SAID FIRSTMEANS FOR SWITCHING TO A POSITION WHEREIN SAID POLES ARE ALIGNED WITHTHE LONGITUDINAL AXIS OF SAID SECOND MEANS FOR SWITCHING WHEREBY THESWITCHING STATE OF SAID FIRST AND SECOND MEANS FOR SWITCHING ALTERNATES.